Work changing my contract- advice needed

[Aw12345]

Just really looking for any experience/advice on this! My work has recently sold to another company so we're basically being taken over. Have just been told that we're having a meeting to change our conditions of employment.

I know some of the things I'm not happy with eg I currently have to work 1 hour on bank holidays and they want to make this 10 hours but on fewer bank holidays of the year. Do I have to do this?

Slight spanner in the works is that I'm pregnant and going on mat leave in 7 weeks... Although everyones contract is changing so it's nothing to do with the pregnancy.

Any advice/tips welcome

You do not have to accept any changes to your contract. If you don't they might try dismissing you and taking you on again under the new terms but that could give you a claim for unfair dismissal assuming you have been in your current job for at least 2 years.

Has your company been taken over or has your job moved to another company? If it is the latter, TUPE is also relevant. This would make it harder for your employer to justify changing your contract.

Just to be clear, TUPE applies if you are now employed by a different company. If you are still employed by the original company but that company has changed ownership TUPE does not apply.

Ok thanks :-) I'm literally clueless about these things! I'm just worried about going along with everything and then realising I'm in a rubbish contract and they can exploit me...

You can change contracts by agreement by both parties though. You need to see what a revised contract would look like and whether it’s acceptable.

Working fewer bank holidays could be better as it will give you better time off at the ones you don’t work. I would see what this suggestion looks like before you decide you don’t want it.

Definitely need to find out if its TUPE or they want to unilaterally change your contract. Is this the only change?

No there are lots of changes... I don't have to work nights at the moment but on the new contract I will have to do some weeks of nights... It's not very many but might be difficult as I'm pregnant and we'll have a baby by then... I think some things on new contract are better though eg I get sick pay on new contract. Also they want me to pay to use my car for business now instead of company vehicle... :-S does that put insurance up normally?!